Patil also inspected a guard of honour before going in for delegation level talks.

The Mexican President emphasised on setting up a privileged partnership and spoke about increasing educational and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

The President quoted from writings of Nobel award winner Octavio Paz Lozano, who was Mexican Ambassador to India from 1962-68, who had said: "Indian People are very hospitable and follow the religion of friendship."

Later the two sides signed two agreements in presence of the Indian President and her Mexican counterpart.